Volunteer Engagement Coordinator in Cleveland, Ohio at Youth Opportunities Unlimited

Since 1982, over 160,000 youth have been helped with Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) programs. Y.O.U. helps teens and young adults, ages 14-24 living in economically distressed communities succeed by providing educational and workforce opportunities, skills development, and access to career pathways. We offer school-based and community-based programs designed to meet the needs of Northeast Ohio employers, with a focus on those industry sectors that provide the most opportunities for career success. At Y.O.U., we are dedicated to excellence and continuous improvement of the quality of our services to youth, employers, and the community.

Job Purpose

Under the direction of the Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations, the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator is responsible for coordinating and growing Y.O.U.’s volunteer engagement efforts while supporting the development of the organization's emerging alumni engagement strategy. This position recruits, schedules, and supports volunteers to deliver meaningful experiences that strengthen Y.O.U.'s programs, events, and community partnerships. The Coordinator serves as the primary point of contact for volunteer engagement, working collaboratively with staff across the organization to identify volunteer needs, coordinate opportunities, and ensure volunteers are well-prepared and have a positive experience.

The Coordinator also supports the development of Y.O.U.'s alumni engagement efforts by helping establish processes to maintain alumni connections, coordinating alumni communications and engagement opportunities, maintaining alumni records, and assisting with initiatives that encourage alumni to remain connected to Y.O.U. as volunteers, mentors, or advocates. Through volunteer engagement and alumni relations, this position helps strengthen community partnerships, increase organizational visibility, and advance Y.O.U.'s mission.

Essential Functions

• Coordinate and grow Y.O.U.'s volunteer engagement efforts by recruiting, engaging, and stewarding volunteers through meaningful opportunities that support the organization's mission. Develop and strengthen relationships with corporate partners, individual supporters, community organizations, and other stakeholders to expand volunteer participation and deepen engagement with Y.O.U.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for volunteers by coordinating communications, scheduling, event logistics, and engagement activities. Ensure volunteers receive the information and resources needed to have a positive, meaningful, and well-organized experience with Y.O.U.
• Partner with program staff to identify volunteer opportunities that support participant learning and engagement. Coordinate volunteer participation by matching volunteers to opportunities, communicating expectations, and providing event-specific resources that prepare volunteers for successful engagement.
• Coordinate volunteer logistics, including volunteer scheduling, communications, materials, check-in, and on-site support, while collaborating with program staff to ensure a positive experience for participants and volunteers.
• Maintain volunteer databases and participation records, track volunteer engagement and hours, gather volunteer feedback, and collaborate with the Manager to identify opportunities to strengthen volunteer recruitment, retention, and overall experience.
• Coordinate the development and continuous improvement of volunteer resources, engagement materials, and event-specific guides in partnership with program and communications staff.
• Support the development of Y.O.U.'s alumni engagement strategy by working with the Manager and program staff to identify opportunities for ongoing alumni involvement.
• Collaborate with program, development, and communications staff to identify alumni stories, engagement opportunities, and volunteer prospects.
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision benefits available with coverage beginning the first of the month following date of hire.
• Company paid life insurance, AD&D, Short-Term Disability, Parental Leave, Employee Assistance Program and Long-Term Disability
• Retirement Plan with generous employer contributions
• Generous paid time off package including 17 paid holidays
• Professional Development Assistance Program

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Communications, Education, Social Work) from an accredited college or university preferred
• An additional 4 years of work experience as detailed below can be substituted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree. High School Diploma or equivalent required.

Requirements

• Two years of experience coordinating volunteers, community engagement initiatives, events, partnerships, or related relationship-management activities.
• Experience building relationships with community organizations, businesses, volunteers, or other external stakeholders preferred.
• Familiar with Northeast Ohio public and private business sectors.
• Must have valid transportation to/from Y.O.U. offices, partner organizations, high school worksites, and event locations.
• Must pass a background BCI/FBI check as a condition of employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Belief and commitment to Y.O.U.’s mission, vision, and values.
• Experience in nonprofit organizations, workforce development, volunteer management, community engagement, or a related field preferred.
• Commitment to providing exceptional service and creating positive engagement experiences for volunteers, alumni, community partners, and supporters.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Must possess active listening skills.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple events, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with volunteers, community partners, corporate representatives, alumni, and internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated customer service and relationship management skills.
• Ability to communicate professionally with diverse audiences in person, virtually, and in writing.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to coordinate multiple logistics simultaneously.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments while exercising sound judgment and initiative.
• Comfort using CRM or database systems to maintain accurate records and generate reports.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office programs.

Work Environment

• This position will be scheduled to work in-office at least 3 days a week and can work remotely 2 days per week. The position includes travel to offsite locations for meetings, programs, events, or activities as part of assigned responsibilities up to 50% of the time.
• The work pace for this position is usually fast paced where work is required for up to 2 hours at a time. This position requires such physical abilities as sitting for computer and phone work for long periods of time, lifting up to 25 lbs periodically and carrying office supplies, standing, and walking throughout the office buildings.
• Social interaction with team members, vendors, partners and/or participants frequently.
• The environment in which the job is performed outside a normal office space may include exposure to extreme temperature, noise, or other hazards.
• When working remotely, the workspace must be free of distractions and background noise (Pets, children, television, radio, etc.)

All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, parental status, veteran status, military service, family medical history, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.